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M5.1 Depth: 52.0 km

M5.1 Earthquake near South Sandwich Islands region

UTC time: 2025-12-12 13:55:56 UTC Local time: —

About this earthquake

On December 12, 2025 at 13:55 UTC, a magnitude M5.1 earthquake occurred near South Sandwich Islands region. With a focal depth of about 52 km, this was a shallow earthquake, whose shaking is usually felt more strongly at the surface. Earthquakes of this magnitude can damage poorly built structures.

The data is provided by USGS and cross-checked across seismological networks.

Details

Magnitude
M5.1
Depth
52.0 km
UTC time
2025-12-12 13:55:56 UTC
Local time
—
Country
—
Source
usgs
Coordinates
-59.65740, -26.18740
Temperature
-1.0°C

Map

Depth profile

Depth profile Depth: 52 km (Shallow) Surface Shallow Intermediate Deep 0 km 70 km 300 km 700 km 52 km
Shallow
52 km
Why depth matters

Shallow quakes release energy near the surface — shaking is felt more strongly and damage potential is higher.

Depth classes per USGS

Nearby population centers

Distances are straight-line distances from the epicenter. Population data: GeoNames.

PlaceDistanceDirectionPopulation
Grytviken863.5 kmNW2

GeoNames · CC BY 4.0

Volcanoes nearby

  • Southern Thule
    Distance: 63 km ·Stratovolcano(es) ·Elevation: 1'075 m ·Last eruption: 1975 ·United Kingdom
  • Bristol Island
    Distance: 74 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 1'100 m ·Last eruption: 2016 ·United Kingdom
  • Montagu Island
    Distance: 135 km ·Shield ·Elevation: 1'370 m ·Last eruption: 2007 ·United Kingdom
  • Saunders
    Distance: 207 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 843 m ·Last eruption: 2026 ·United Kingdom
  • Candlemas Island
    Distance: 288 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 550 m ·Last eruption: 1911 ·United Kingdom
  • Hodson
    Distance: 333 km ·Stratovolcano ·Elevation: 835 m ·United Kingdom

Subsequent earthquakes nearby

Events recorded after this earthquake within 150 km. They are not automatically classified as aftershocks.

First 6 hours1
First 24 hours1
First 72 hours6
Strongest subsequent eventM5.7
M4.92025-12-12 13:56:10 UTC80.2 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.22025-12-13 14:04:26 UTC83.4 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.02025-12-13 14:04:34 UTC86.8 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.32025-12-15 00:43:15 UTC105.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.22025-12-15 00:43:18 UTC107.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.12025-12-15 00:43:21 UTC97.6 kmEvent of magnitude 5.1, near of Mar del Plata (Monde) M5.62025-12-17 17:05:56 UTC116.9 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.72025-12-17 17:05:57 UTC121.6 km M5.72025-12-17 17:06:01 UTC106.8 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.32025-12-17 17:06:07 UTC116.9 kmEvent of magnitude 5.3, near of Mar del Plata (Monde) M5.22025-12-28 04:36:17 UTC11.0 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.12025-12-28 04:36:20 UTC27.4 km

Historical context nearby

Comparison with recorded earthquakes before this event within 150 km.

Magnitude rank#26
Earlier events M≥463
Earlier events M≥533
Compared since2025-01-03

The QuakeMap24 comparison dataset begins on 2024-03-23. Earlier earthquakes may not be included.

Strongest earlier events

M5.92025-08-31 16:24:29 UTC142.3 km M5.72025-12-08 18:41:11 UTC137.1 kmSouth Sandwich Islands Region M5.72025-03-20 06:30:19 UTC104.3 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.62025-07-30 09:24:37 UTC80.0 kmSouth Sandwich Islands region M5.62025-07-30 09:24:37 UTC77.2 km

Stats (last 24h)

Global (24h)
654
Country (24h)
—
—
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